Calling on the Mac and making phone calls: this is how it works

Make phone calls on Mac

Continuity lets you make phone calls on Mac. The phone calls normally arrive on the iPhone, but if you set them to also have them forwarded to the iPad and Mac, this is possible. You can then make phone calls without taking the iPhone out of your bag. You can also call without video via FaceTime Audio, but this does not involve your mobile number.

• Switch
• Start conversation
• Switch off

How do I enable calling on Mac?

To make phone calls on your Mac you need the following:

• A Mac with OS X Yosemite or newer
• An iPhone with at least iOS 8
• You must be logged in with the same iCloud account on both devices
• Both devices must be connected to the same Wi-Fi network

The latter also means that the devices are close to each other. Usually the iPhone will be nearby: it’s on your desk or in your bag. If you are at the Mac, it may be more convenient to answer the phone call on the Mac, so that you can continue working in the meantime.

You can log in to iCloud on the Mac via  > System Settings and click on your account photo at the top left. In macOS Monterey and older, click Apple ID. On the iPhone, go to the Settings app and tap your account photo at the top of the screen. Make sure both devices show the same Apple ID.

Usually everything happens automatically, but sometimes it is necessary to enable the function. This is how you do it:

1. Open the FaceTime app on Mac.
2. In the menu bar, click FaceTime > Settings.
3. Turn on FaceTime there and indicate where you want to be reachable (telephone number and/or email address).
4. Check the box for Calling from iPhone if you want all telephone calls that come in on your iPhone to be answered on your Mac.

As soon as a phone call comes in on the iPhone, it is also forwarded after a few seconds to all other devices where this feature is enabled, so you can immediately pick up and have a conversation. You can also start conversations from the Mac. We’ll discuss that now.

How can I make a phone call from Mac?

You don’t necessarily need to receive a call to make calls with your Mac. Here’s how to make a phone call from Mac:

1. Open the FaceTime app on Mac.
2. Click New FaceTime and search for the contact. You can also click on this button if you want to call via your mobile number.
3. At the bottom right of the search window there is a small arrow pointing down. Click on this.
4. You can now choose FaceTime Audio (if available), but also Call via iPhone. With the latter option, the Mac connects to your iPhone to make calls. It then becomes a normal telephone conversation.

There are also other ways you can start a phone call. If you come across a telephone number in Safari, you can usually click on it. You will then be asked whether you want to call that number. If you do that, it will also be done via your mobile phone. You can also start conversations with, for example, a restaurant or hotel from certain apps, such as Apple Maps.

How can I disable calling on Mac?

Do you find it a bit inconvenient to make calls via the Mac, for example because your ringtone keeps ringing on the Mac? Then you can turn it off. Complete the following steps:

1. Go to the FaceTime app on your Mac.
2. In the menu bar, click FaceTime > Settings.
3. Disable the Call from iPhone option.
4. You can now no longer receive phone calls on the Mac and you can’t make them either.

If you have an iPad, you can also make phone calls on it via the iPhone’s mobile network. You can read how to do this in the separate tip Making and answering telephone calls with the iPad.

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